Recycling Takes Patience, Practice

Earthkeepers

June 06, 1991|By KEVIN GALLAGHER

Unless you have been vacationing on the moon, I'm sure that you realize that full-scale recycling programs are popping up everywhere. Drop-off centers, curbside collections, neighborhood collections and the like all offer us the chance to get into the recycling habit.

All of these programs offer our communities the unique opportunity to band together for the common welfare of our community, our nation and our planet. Along with this unique opportunity comes the usual frustrations associated with any new program or suggested change in our habits. Once we work through these behavioral changes, we will have it made.

Now that our communities are in the midst of implementing various kinds of recycling programs, a few considerations are in order which may help create recycling success.

First and foremost, we all must remember to be patient with the development of any recycling program. This concept of ``mass recycling'' is new to many people, and these folks need our help to alter their habits and adapt to this new style of waste management. We must remember that we are all a part of the problem and through teaching, not preaching, we will be the benefactors of our common recycling success.

Next, those individuals who have been recycling regularly must be patient with the recycling industry as it develops new markets for our recyclables. The recycling marketplace is profit-driven, as it should be, and as stable markets for materials develop, recycling will become more profitable for all localities.

Third, and most important, we all must be receptive to these developing programs and be willing to be adventuresome enough to at least try them out. Nothing really worthwhile comes without some sacrifice on our part. Recycling requires us to change our ``throw-away'' habits and adopt new ways of looking at managing all of our solid waste. You will quickly realize that it is easy as well as fun to recycle. It is also a great way for adults to instill good environmental ethics in our children.

Finally, recycling takes practice. Which plastics can be recycled? What do I do to prepare my recyclables for recycling? Where can I take these prepared items? These are all legitimate questions that can be answered by your locality's recycling office. Use these people as a resource within your community, we are here to serve the recycling needs of all our citizens. The more we practice recycling, the better we will become. The better we become at recycling, the more likely we will be to create and preserve a healthy environment for future generations.

* Submitted by Kevin Gallagher, recycling manager for the city of Hampton.